Tenerife wall gecko (Tarentola delalandii)

Short answers

Tenerife wall gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×40×50 cm.

Tenerife wall gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Tenerife wall gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Tenerife wall gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Tenerife wall gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

35 °C

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, rock structures, cork bark, a few plants

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, wax moths

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–15 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Tenerife, La Palma (the Canary Islands)

Protection status

Protected (Spain) – only captive-bred animals with proof of origin

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

In pairs or as a harem (1.2) — both are kept. Two males must never be kept together; they fight over territory and the basking spot. Females generally get along. Feed separately if they differ in size.

Notes

A robust island gecko with a distinct winter rest – without a cold phase there is no breeding. Often basking on rocks by day, hunting at dusk.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Boettger's wall gecko (Tarentola boettgeri) – Beginner
• Eastern Canary gecko (Tarentola angustimentalis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• La Gomera wall gecko (Tarentola gomerensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Helmethead gecko (Tarentola chazaliae) – Intermediate
• Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) – Beginner
• White-spotted wall gecko (Tarentola annularis) – Beginner
• Arabian short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Bastard's big-headed gecko (Paroedura bastardi) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Tenerife wall gecko (Tarentola delalandii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, rock structures, cork bark, a few plants), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.